Rail obstacle



May 10, 1927.

J. B. O CONNOR RAIL OBSTACLE Filed Oct. 22, 1926 I PNVENTOR Jim B. O 'Connorv ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1927.

rear 1 e FECE.

JOHN B. OCONNOR, OF BROOKLYN, NEVI YORK.

BAIL OBSTAGLE.

Application filed. October 22, 1926. 7 Serial No. 143,476.

This invention relates to obstacles employed to be encountered by an appurtenance of the control appa "atus of a traveler, carriage, or train, to prevent the unintentional movement thereof.

The principal object of. the present invention is the provision of an obstacle of the indicated character which may be readily employed, which is reliable, and which is simple and eliicient in construction.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specificatlon is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a sectional elevation illustrating the employment of the obstacle of the present invention, the obstacle being shown in place on the head of a railroad track element or rail.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the obstacle applied to the head of a track element or rail, a portion of which is shown.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the obstacle. I

Referring now more particularly to the several views of the drawing, it will be apparent that the obstacle consists of a trip member 10 and means 11 adapted to engage a portion of a railroad track element or rail for supporting the trip member in an operative position. The obstacle may be produced from any suitable material such as malleable iron. The trip member 10 extends laterally and upwardly from the means 11. The means 11 consists of gripping jaws 12, and flexible portions 13 between the jaws 12 to allow relative separation of the jaws, and

having a normal tendency to bring the jaws to a gripping relationship. The trip member 10 is carried by one of the jaws 12 and is cross sectionally round. The trip member 10 is connected with the jaw 12 at a point so as to be below the upper tract-ion surface of the track element, and thus be clear of the flanges of the car wheels. The jaws 12 and the flexible portions 13 are substantially fiat. It will therefore be apparent, that when the gripping jaws 12 are sprung apart that they may be engaged wit-h the head 14 of a railroad track element or rail 15 to securely hold and support the trip member 10 in an operative position as shown inFigs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1, there is indicated at 16 an appurtenance in the form of loop. The said loop is formed in a cord which will lead to a bleed valve in theair line of the brake apparatus of a railroad car. The loop 16 will be disposed so as to encounter the trip member 10. then the loop 16 encounters the trip member 10, such bleed valve will be actuated, causing the application of the brakes and the train be brought to a standstill. The obstacle will be used in an emergency, for instance, where two trains are stopped on the same track; the obstacle being arranged in the manner illustrated to prevent unintentional movement of the trains, one toward the other.

I claim:

1. An obstacle comprising a trip member, and means for effecting the attachment of the trip member on the traction portion of a track element, the trip member connected with said means below the uppermost surface thereof, the trip member disposed sub stantially vertically atone side of the track element.

2. An obstacle comprising a trip member, and means adapted to be sprung over the traction portion of a track element in gripping engagement therewith for supporting the trip member in operative position, and the trip member connected with said means below the uppermost surface thereof.

3. An obstacle comprising a trip member, gripping jaws, and flexible means between the jaws allowing relative separation of the aws and having a normal tendency to bring the jaws to a gripping relationship, said trip member extending laterally and upwardly from one of said aws at a point below said flexible means.

track element.

' J B. OCONNOR. 

